Sam Mendes in talks to return as director of next James Bond film

It turns out all of the shortlists with names like Christopher Nolan, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Ang Lee on them didn't amount to very much when it comes to directing Bond 24. It turns out it we may be waiting awhile to find out what they could do with the legendary secret agent's next mission, because Sam Mendes, whose Skyfall was the greatest success in franchise history, suddenly wants back in.

Claiming that his theater commitments, busy schedule, and physical illness at the thought of tackling another massive production were the reasons for stepping down, Mendes had indeed left the door open for a return, it's just a surprise that it was this soon. The biggest hurdle was the producers' desire to get the ball rolling fairly quickly, but Deadline reports that they've pushed that requirement aside, and now Mendes is in talks with them to begin production next year after his prior commitments are completed. The site even suggests that all of the other rumored candidates may have never been in play to begin with, and suggests that Mendes' return is all but a done deal.

This would certainly go a long way in the producers' attempts to lock up Daniel Craig for a long-term deal, as he was the one who suggested Mendes for Skyfall in the first place, and look how that turned out. The prospect of a new director taking on Bond would have been hugely exciting, but there's something to be said for leaving alone what definitely isn't in need of fixing.